Astrophysics Graduate Diploma GradDip
2026 Clearing places available
Our Astrophysics Graduate Diploma programme is for graduates of subjects other than astrophysics who wish to gain degree-level knowledge and expertise in astrophysics. The programme follows the core of the honours years in an Astrophysics or a Physics BSc Hons degree, with introductory material to ease transition into the subject. It is ideal for those with a degree that already provides a grounding in applied mathematics, problem-solving, and academic writing and presentation, and can be combined with our Physics and Astronomy MSc programmes.
- Academic contact: Andy.Buckley@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- PgDip: 12 months full-time
Why this programme
- The graduate diploma route allows graduates in cognate subjects to augment existing skills with astrophysics-specific subject knowledge, opening routes to a new suite of careers and further education opportunities.
- The graduate diploma can be combined with a University of Glasgow 1-year MSc programme otherwise only available to physics and astrophysics graduates. You will be eligible for the 20% alumni discount when going on to study on the MSc programme.
- The School of Physics and Astronomy is active and highly rated in research spanning physics and astrophysics, from radio and solar astronomy to gravitational waves, particle and nuclear physics to quantum information, and from nanoscale imaging to quantum optics and sensing.
- You will benefit from our membership of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance. The alliance brings together internationally leading physics researchers across Scotland to form the largest physics grouping in the UK.
- You will benefit from direct contact with our group of international experts who will teach you cutting-edge physics and supervise your projects.
Programme structure
The programme includes the central topics of honours astrophysics, with modes of delivery including lectures, seminars and tutorials and computer-lab work. You will have the flexibility to tailor your choice of optional lecture courses and project work toward your specific research topics of interest.
Core courses
- Quantum Mechanics
- Thermal Physics
- Electromagnetic Theory 1
- Honours Computational Physics Laboratory
- Cosmology* / High Energy Astrophysics**
- Instruments for Optical and Radio Astronomy* / Stellar Structure and Evolution**
Optional courses
- Mathematical Methods 1***
- Analytical Mechanics
- Medical Imaging
- Lasers & Non-Linear Optics
- Exploring Planetary Systems*/Heliophysics and Stellar Atmospheres**
- Solid State Physics
- Atomic Systems
- Particle Physics
- Semiconductor Physics
- Mathematical Methods 2***
- Energy And Environment
- Astronomical Data Analysis*/Galaxies**
*Offered in alternate years starting 2026/27.
**Offered in alternate years starting 2027/28.
***Students may take either Maths Methods 1 or Maths Methods 2, depending on prior background.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Successful completion of this programme will equip you for graduate-level careers in astrophysics and in disciplines such as:
- data-science
- quantitative analysis
- software engineering.
It will also equip you to progress to a Masters or PhD programme in astrophysics.
In particular, this programme guarantees entry to MSc programmes in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow. This opens up a variety of future options in:
- academic research based in universities, research institutes, observatories and laboratory facilities
- industrial research in a wide range of fields including energy and the environmental sector, IT and semiconductors, optics and lasers, materials science, telecommunications, engineering
- banking and commerce
- higher education.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2026-27
GradDip
Home & RUK
- Full-time fee: £8,640
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £20,700
Fee status
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
Fulbright Commission
The US-UK Fulbright Commission hosts both the Fulbright scholarship programme and the EducationUSA advising network for the UK. The Commission focuses on opportunities and exchanges between the USA and the UK, as part of a global programme. The Fulbright Awards are now open and there are several postgraduate or research project awards available. The US-UK Fulbright Commission is committed to growing the numbers of applications and participants in the UK Fulbright Postgraduate programme from under-represented groups and to continuing fair access to the programme.
Carnegie Masters Grants
If you have any questions about the scheme or would like to discuss your eligibility before applying, please contact: grants@carnegie-trust.org, the Scholarship team at the University of Glasgow will not be able to provide further information on this scheme.
Postgraduate study can open doors to better careers, new opportunities and higher earning potential, however cost can be a major barrier. Funding options for study at this level in Scotland are limited, but the new Carnegie Masters Grant from Carnegie Education Fund (CEF) help to address this problem.
This new scheme helps students from low-income Scottish households undertake masterʼs programmes of study at Scottish universities. It helps to cover the cost of tuition fees and, in some cases, will offer additional support for study costs.
The scheme aims to:
- Support people from low-income backgrounds who want to return to higher education to upskill or reskill to change career.
- Increase the numbers of low-income students undertaking postgraduate study in Scotland
- Equip graduates with the skills and expertise to meet current and emerging skills gaps in Scotland.
About Carnegie Education Fund Carnegie Education Fund is an independent charitable trust that aims to support participation in and improvement of Scotlandʼs higher education system through grants and research. It was established in 1901 as the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland (SC015600).
The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2:1 or above in a first degree in a cognate subject: e.g. Maths, Chemistry, Computing Science, Engineering. Previous study must include modules in Mathematics, providing a core of calculus and linear algebra needed for physics study.
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
- Online PTE not accepted for entry
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
More information on our Pre-sessional courses.
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.
Application deadlines
Application deadlines for 2027 entry will be published in due course. Please check back later.
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